Have you ever shopped during a Florida sales tax holiday?
It’s an opportunity to save between 4%-9% off your purchases simply based on the timing of making your purchase.
Shopping during a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to stock up on batteries, flashlights, and candles.
Now’s the best time to crack open your hurricane emergency preparedness kit to make sure it’s well-stocked in case something happens.
The State of Florida, where I live, issued a Florida Sales Tax Holiday from Friday, May 29 – Thursday, June 4, 2020, to help residents stock up on Emergency Preparedness Supplies.
I’ve got the nitty-gritty on how it works, what you should stock up on, and how much you should save by shopping during the holiday.
Are you curious about what changed from last year? Would you believe that you’ll no longer find First Aid Kits on the list this year? Also missing are backpacks. I’m guessing backpacks will continue to be included in the future Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that typically happens each fall. My only thought for the reason the First Aid Kits are not included is that there are none on the shelves due to COVID-19, but that’s just my humble opinion.
Let me help you find the best deals to purchase this FREE Florida Sales Tax Holiday.
Amazon Is INCLUDED
Did you know that in any state where Amazon is required to collect Sales Tax, they will NOT charge tax on these days for the qualifying items that are sold by Amazon?
(NOTE: If the items are sold by a third-party listed on Amazon, then Amazon cannot control the tax and you will be charged Sales Tax on those items.)
You might want to check out the deal on this Lantern! (It’s 27% off, plus you’ll save extra with the free shipping offer!)
ATTENTION Candle Lovers!
Since Candles are exempt from Sales Tax, I take this opportunity to head to the Yankee Candle Store or to Bed, Bath & Beyond in order to stock up on candles!
I figure I might as well have my house smell nice when we are out of power, right?! These are the hurricane preparedness kit emergency supplies I love to stock up on!
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And they’ll never know they were included in your hurricane preparedness items!
ATTENTION Beach Go’ers And Campers Too!
If you are a camper (or even just plan to spend time out at the beach this summer), then now would be a good time to stock up on some of the supplies that can be used for your family outdoor outings!
Camping/Beach Items Included:
- Coolers/Ice Chests (nonelectrical)
- Generators
- Portable, Self Powered Light Sources (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas): Flashlights, Lanterns, Candles
- Reusable Ice Packs
- Tarps
- Two Way or Weatherband Radios: powered by battery, solar and hand-crank
- Batteries including rechargeable batteries (select sizes only, excluding automobile and boat batteries)
- Bungee Cords
- Ground Anchor Systems
- Ratchet Straps
- Tie-Down Kits
- Gas & Fuel Containers, including and LP Gas and Kerosene Containers
- Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
Price Limitations
Good News! The Sales Tax Exemption is on individual items, so if you are buying 5 candles and each one costs $19.99 (which is under the $20 threshold), your total will be $99.95 and ALL is entirely tax-free!
In other words, the combined total of items you are purchasing does not affect the exemption and therefore you will not pay Sales Tax on your total of the qualifying item that you buy.
Pay Attention
Not all cashiers are going to be completely aware of the Sales Tax Holiday and what items qualify for the exclusion.
Plus, retailers might not have programmed their cash registers properly to exclude the tax, it might be a manual.
I’d suggest paying separately for anything that will is not included in this Florida sales tax exclusion so that it is easy to see and discuss with a cashier in case it gets confusing.
This way you can keep track of your hurricane preparedness items and the tax you saved! Plus it’s important to save those receipts just in case you need to return it if it’s defective.
Do you get a warranty too? Keep that receipt!
List Of Qualifying Items:
Remember, as long as the individual items you are purchasing are less than the threshold limit, you will save from paying sales tax on each, no matter how many you buy in total.
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- Reusable Ice (less than $10 each)
- Candles, Flashlights, Lanterns (less than $20 each)
- Batteries: select sizes (less than $30 each package); excluding automobile and boat batteries
- Coolers & Ice Chests (no limit stated)
- Fuel Tanks or Containers (less than $25 each)
- Generator (less than $750 each)
- Radio/Weather Radio (less than $50 each)
- Tarps or other waterproofing material (less than $50 each)
- Tie Down Kits (Bungee Cords, or Ratchets) (less than $50 each)
- View the entire list at the FL Dept of Revenue Website
What’s My Bottom Line Impact?
If you were to purchase one of each item on this list (excluding the generator), you will save around $20 in Tax Alone.
Plus you can even add coupons in and save even more!
Slight Exclusions:
There are two easy exclusions that apply to the Sales Tax Holiday.
One exemption is that the sales tax holiday does not apply if you make a purchase of a qualifying item inside a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.
So don’t buy that cute flashlight or Backup Generator at Disney or Busch Gardens and think you are going to save on the tax…you will still pay sale tax while inside those parks.
The other exclusion does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. So let’s say you want to get your generator fixed during the sales tax holiday? You will still be charged tax on your repair services during this time.
So get ready for the next hurricane season with these great deals!
My husband says, “it’s better to have and not need it, then need it and not have it.” And that is truly the case during hurricane season.
Get prepared during the sales tax holiday and save more money!
YOUR TURN: Do you wait to shop during the Sales Tax Holiday? Do you think it makes a significant impact on your budget? Please comment below and let me know!
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